ULUHTWSBN 51

Chapter – 51

Mukai’s Memories

Leaving Adachi in Reiō’s care,

Mukai entered the break room.

It seemed the others had returned,

and they immediately started firing questions at him.

“Adachi collapsed?”

Tadokoro asked.

“Since we’re already dead, can we even die from illness?”

“Makino, don’t say such ominous things.”

“What caused it?”

Even Sakuma, unusually flustered, asked.

“W-wait, wait a moment, please,”

Mukai held back the people pressing toward him and stepped back.

“See? Mukai-kun’s troubled. Everyone, have a seat.”

“Thank you, Makiko-san,”

Mukai looked up at the ceiling, took a deep breath, and decided to only share what he could.

“To get straight to the point,

Adachi-kun apparently has a naturally rare spiritual medium ability.

So, when spirit-versus-spirit confrontations continue,

he loses control,

and it puts a strain on his body.

For now, though, there’s no immediate problem,

so please don’t worry.”

“Ah, that’s a relief. It’s nothing serious.”

Saki smiled, letting out a sigh of relief.

Having witnessed the moment he collapsed,

she had been understandably worried.

“Reiō is watching over him now, so he’s fine.

He’ll rest for a while,

so please plan accordingly.”

“But doesn’t that make teaming up with him dangerous?”

“Yes. For the time being, I’ll partner with Adachi-kun.”

“Then Mukai, wouldn’t that put you at risk?”

“The dangerous areas are Makino-kun’s responsibility, so it should be fine.”

“Tch, I see how it is,”

Makino muttered, clearly annoyed,

“Guess I’ll just let Adachi do the easy work.”

She plopped down on the sofa with a thud.

“Makino-kun is such a good kid,”

Mukai said.

“D-don’t call me a good kid. I’m not a child!!”

Mukai placed his hand on her head from behind.

“Stop that,”

Makino swatted his hand away, and Mukai said,

“You really are stubborn~”

Nitta, who had come in afterward, laughed.

“I just checked on Adachi-kun.

He said he was hungry and went to the cafeteria with Yayoi-chan.

Youth is wonderful, isn’t it?”

When Nitta said that,

Makino and Saki dashed off.

“Busy, aren’t they?”

Sakuma laughed.

“I’ll go check on Adachi-kun too.”

“Well then, I’ll come too,”

Tadokoro said, following her out of the room.

Even Adachi, who grew up without knowing love,

had people here who cared for him,

people who cherished him.

He was allowed a place to rely on, even after death.

Whether that could be called happiness was unclear,

but it seemed necessary for him now.

“Adachi-kun is a bit of a stubborn child,

but to me, he’s adorable.

He’s loved by everyone, and I think he’s happy here.”

Makiko smiled gently at Mukai, who was lost in thought, and said,

“Shall I make some tea? Nitta-kun, do you want some?”

“I’ll have some. I’ll help you.”

He followed Makiko.

Watching over Adachi,

Mukai found himself recalling his own missing memories.

What was that about?

It felt like he could remember, but he couldn’t…

Probably, it had something to do with his own death…

But still, he couldn’t remember…

Leaning back on the sofa,

Mukai closed his eyes, weary.